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Wrongful Death

Fort Wayne Wrongful Death Lawyers Represent Grieving Families

Compassionate advocate delivers justice to clients throughout Indiana

The most horrendous accidents are those that take the life of an innocent person. There is no adequate compensation for a life cut short or for the heartache of families who have a loved one ripped away. However, a wrongful death lawsuit can hold responsible parties accountable in some measure, and help give grieving families closure. At Patterson Law LLC in Fort Wayne, we assist clients who’ve suffered tragic losses with highly professional, compassionate representation. We aggressively pursue compensation not only to relieve any financial hardship your loved one’s death might have caused, but also to ensure that similar tragedies don’t happen in the future.

Experienced attorneys handle a range of wrongful death cases

Common causes of wrongful death are similar to those in personal injury cases. The only difference is that the injuries were severe enough to be fatal. Our firm handles wrongful death litigation arising from:

  • Automobile, truck and motorcycle accidents
  • Medical malpractice
  • Product defects
  • Slip and fall accidents

As with people bringing personal injury claims, wrongful death plaintiffs must prove a defendant had a duty of care that they breached through an act or omission that was negligent, reckless or deliberate, and that the act or omission directly caused injuries that led to death.

Wrongful death cases can be complex, and the stakes are high. We have ample experience with cases involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. You can trust us to be meticulous when assembling the evidence necessary to build a compelling case.

Who is liable for a wrongful death claim?

The defendant in a wrongful death case is a person or entity that had a duty to act with care toward the decedent but failed to do so, causing the death. We manage cases against various defendants, such as:

  • Negligent and reckless drivers — We manage auto accident cases against individual drivers, commercial trucking companies and transit companies.
  • Healthcare providers and facilities — We handle cases of fatal medical errors, surgical errors and other forms of malpractice.
  • Government entities — Examples include negligent police shootings, slip and fall accidents on government property, substandard maintenance of roadways, and auto accidents involving official vehicles.
  • Consumer products manufacturers — Fatal injuries can occur due to defects in auto parts, flaws in construction, tainted food and other forms of negligence.
  • Commercial and private property owners and tenants — Faulty maintenance of property can lead to fatal accidents due to hidden hazards or lax security measures.

Insurance companies representing any of these defendants will take aggressive actions to defend them. Our law firm has the experience and resources to prosecute a case against even the most powerful, well-defended parties.

Dedicated counselor guides clients through their claims

Indiana law allows two years from the date of death for a personal representative of the decedent’s estate to file a wrongful death action. However, the sooner you begin your case, the better. Most wrongful death cases begin as insurance claims, but you should retain an attorney before attempting to settle the claim yourself. Often, it’s necessary to file a lawsuit to subpoena documents that can prove the case. Evidence of negligence can be hidden in company records, which you will never have access to unless you file a lawsuit. Therefore, you should never agree to any settlement before consulting an attorney you can rely on to represent your interests capably and professionally. At Patterson Law, you get professional counsel you can trust to aggressively assert your rights and pursue justice for your loss.

Contact a respected Indiana lawyer for a wrongful death consultation

Patterson Law LLC in Fort Wayne represents next-of-kin whose loved ones have been killed in various types of injury events. To schedule a consultation, please call 260-247-8383 or contact us online.

Reviews
  • "Rex was very helpful and understanding of my situation. He was honest and upfront. For everything that he did for me, I am very thankful. I highly recommend Patterson Law LLC." - Hailee Gordon

  • "Rex is absolutely amazing at what he does! I have to say that his professionalism is above and beyond! You knocked it out of the park today my friend! I will speak highly of you and your staff to every single person I know! Thank you!" - Bryan Sanders

  • "I've been working with Rex for what it seems like forever now, he hasn't let me down one time! He works his hardest to get what needs to be done, done! I'd recommend him to anyone!!" - Megan Mitchell

  • "I would highly recommend Patterson Law to anyone! Everyone there is so professional and helpful! Rex took the time to get to know my case and handled it remarkably! Though I hope to never need their services again, I would most certainly if the need arose. Thank you to Rex and the entire staff! You are truly excellent stewards of your profession!" - Amy Gilbert-Koch

  • "Rex Patterson is a great person and lawyer! I would recommend this law firm to anyone looking for a straightforward no-nonsense approach to legal matters! I am very thankful that while sitting in a law firm in Ft. Wayne explaining my situation I was advised to go to Rex!! Best decision ever! Thanks again Rex for your calm approach to crazy!!!;)" - Abby Richards

  • "Rex is a great attorney. The clients we mutually served shared how Rex was a good attorney and fair in his pricing. Would highly recommend Rex for any of your legal needs." - Ron Nicolet Owner of Nicolet Counseling LLC

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